Roasted Squash with Rajas, Cumin, and Crema Recipe

I love pumpkin and winter squash, but after having it roasted or mashed a few times I start looking for new flavors to branch out. Cumin seeds, both roasted with the squash and tossed in right before serving, bring out its earthy, subtly spicy notes. Strips of roasted poblano chiles (rajas) add caramelized flavors and a bright spiciness to give both depth and contrast. A drizzle of crema cuts some of the heat.

Crema is Mexican cultured cream, typically thinner than American sour cream. You can drizzle it off a spoon and more easily use it to coat other ingredients. Though less sour, it has a buttermilk twang I find addictive. If you can't find any, it's dead simple to make. Carefully heat a cup of cream in a jar (use a water bath or a microwave) till it feels just hot to the touch, then stir in a tablespoon of buttermilk and cover tightly. Let it sit somewhere warm for a day and you've got crema that will keep in the fridge for weeks. Or just use regular sour cream—it'll still be delicious.

This will be gracing my table all through fall and winter, but to me this is perfect Thanksgiving food. It's based on simple ingredients, is best served family style, and the leftovers taste delicious. Yes, it's got some heat, but how much is up to you, and that jolt may be just the thing to wake you up between bites of stuffing.

Ingredients

Directions

1.

Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 425°F. In large bowl, toss squash with oil, half of cumin seeds, and heavy pinch of salt until thoroughly coated. Spread out in single layer on two rimmed baking sheets. Roast until squash gives a paring knife no resistance and is browned on one or two sides, about 35 minutes, flipping and testing for doneness every 15 minutes. Set aside in large mixing bowl, cover and keep warm.

2.

Meanwhile, roast poblanos on directly over flame of gas stovetop on medium-low heat, or under broiler. Let skin completely blister and blacken (some ash is okay) before turning until chilis are blackened all around. When chiles have softened and their skin is completely black, set aside and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes.

3.

Remove plastic wrap and scrape skin off with paring knife. Slice open chilis and remove central core and seeds. If you want milder chilis, scrape off inner membrane. Slice chilis into thin strips and add to squash. (Note: rajas can be made up to several days ahead.)

4.

Toast remaining cumin seeds in small skillet over high heat until just fragrant about 15 seconds, then add to squash and rajas. Toss everything until well combined. Season with salt. Serve immediately, passing crema at table.

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As a native of Queens, New York, Max developed an early hunger for dosas, dumplings, and Korean barbecue. Now he explores the city's evolving international food world by day and night. When not slurping noodles over a rickety table, he's in the kitchen tinkering with his ice cream maker on a never-ending quest to develop the best ice cream-making techniques.